--- description: The good do not die young, as the old saying goes. In fact, they live longer title: Studying People From Birth to Death Can Teach You About the Good Life image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte7faca278387cd98/6986a552810bbb5082c93a0f/470895073.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Ideas](/section/ideas/) ## Ideas Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Psychology](/tag/psychology/) ## Psychology Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # What Can Studying People From Birth to Death Teach You About Living the Good Life? by [Eric Barker](/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Sep 25, 2014 4:01 AM CUT  Husband and wife playing hula hoop in the park Husband and wife playing hula hoop in the parkDavid Jakle—Image Source/Getty Images by [Eric Barker](/author/eric-barker/) ## Eric Barker Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Sep 25, 2014 4:01 AM CUT One of the most interesting books I read this year was [The Longevity Project: Surprising Discoveries for Health and Long Life from the Landmark Eight-Decade Study](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452297702/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=spacforrent-20 "undefined"). They studied over 1000 people for the duration of their _lives –_ from childhood until old age — giving them regular physical and psychological tests and tracking the results. What they discovered confirmed some things we all believe about what it takes to live a good, long life — and more interestingly [they found out where our common beliefs are wrong](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/07/what-myths-do-many-of-us-believe-about-health/ "undefined"). One of the things that I found most fascinating was the link between what it takes to live a long life and what it takes to have a happy life. Via [The Longevity Project: Surprising Discoveries for Health and Long Life from the Landmark Eight-Decade Study:](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452297702/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=spacforrent-20 "undefined") --- > “” --- If there was one main takeaway from the study and the book, it was [how important relationships are](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2011/12/have-we-got-it-all-wrong-about-what-it-takes/ "undefined"): --- > “” --- Via [The Longevity Project: Surprising Discoveries for Health and Long Life from the Landmark Eight-Decade Study:](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452297702/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=spacforrent-20 "undefined") --- > “” --- The good do not die young, as the old saying goes. In fact, they live longer. Via [The Longevity Project: Surprising Discoveries for Health and Long Life from the Landmark Eight-Decade Study:](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452297702/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=spacforrent-20 "undefined") --- > “” --- Want to make your life better? This study shows it’s your relationships that can determine whether or not you succeed. Via [The Longevity Project: Surprising Discoveries for Health and Long Life from the Landmark Eight-Decade Study:](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452297702/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=spacforrent-20 "undefined") --- > “” --- Another more recent study confirmed this. Via Charles Duhigg’s excellent book [The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400069289/ref=as%5Fli%5Fss%5Ftl?ie=UTF8&tag=spacforrent-20 "undefined"): --- > “” --- A long, happy life doesn’t come from a perfect diet or exercise regimen. You’ll find it in those you surround yourself with. My compilation on what it takes to live a long life is [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/09/what-do-you-need-to-do-to-live-a-long-life/ "undefined"). **_This piece originally appeared on_** [**_Barking Up the Wrong Tree_**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/ "undefined")**_._** **Join more than 100,000 readers.** Get a free weekly update via email [here](http://eepurl.com/o6uAD "undefined"). Related posts: [Here are the things that are proven to make you happier](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/08/here-are-the-things-that-are-proven-to-make-y/ "undefined") [5 ways to strengthen your friendships](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/09/5-ways-to-strengthen-your-friendships/ "undefined") [What yes/no question can likely predict whether you will be alive and happy at age 80?](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/05/what-yesno-question-can-likely-predict-whethe/ "undefined") ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"OpinionNewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3426857/what-can-studying-people-from-birth-to-death-teach-you-about-living-the-good-life/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3426857/what-can-studying-people-from-birth-to-death-teach-you-about-living-the-good-life/"},"headline":"What Can Studying People From Birth to Death Teach You About Living the Good Life?","datePublished":"2014-09-25T04:01:46.000Z","dateModified":"2026-03-31T07:55:45.003Z","description":"The good do not die young, as the old saying goes. 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